I have overcome many obstacles in my life and I can feel a slight breeze at my back. I am moving forward with optimism and confidence on my side. There have been times in my life that I thought I was going to die and several times I felt it would be easier to enjoy my last breath. I vividly remember being at peace with the possibility that my next injection could be my last contribution to this world.

I was never scared to die and even today, death is not a concern. I am concentrating on living my life, enjoying my life, and sharing my life with people that can most benefit from my journey. I am getting ready to embark on the adventure of sharing my story through art and by sharing my voice and story with people currently in recovery. A part of my upcoming art exhibit will include a stop at DACCO in Tampa, FL to speak with a group of people in recovery and the DACCO support staff. I am still not sure what I am going to say, but I feel confident in my ability to share a much-needed part of myself.

I want to let my fellow addicts know that they are not alone and in me, I hope they see a piece of themselves. I have been told that I am not the stereotypical I.V. drug user and to that I say…I am more stereotypical than you might think. The only difference between a homeless junkie and me is the fact that I have a home. An addict is an addict whether you sleep under an overpass or in a bed. We as addicts might have lived different lives, but we have shared the same journey. We have hurt the same, used the same, and in a perfect world we will be able to heal the same.

I am speaking out to shorten the divide, to lend my voice and my art to bringing to light the secret society of I.V. drug use.